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Comedians are said to be difficult and often angry or depressed offstage. Author Richard Zoglin’s new book, Comedy at the Edge, showcases the rise of stand-up�from the 1970s onward and the behind the scenes fighting that spurred bitter rivalries.

David Brenner tells author Richard Zoglin he once threatened to attack Robin Williams for stealing his material and using it on HBO. Calling up Williams’ agent, Brenner warned, “Tell Robin if he ever takes one more line from me, I’ll rip his leg off and shove it up his [bleep]!” Williams tells Zoglin he was simply “sampling” material from others.

The book has stories from just about ever major comic from the 70s, and 80s: Jerry Seinfeld, Bill Maher, Paul Reiser, Richard Belzer�and many more. No one�is in a darker mood than a comic when he’s offstage.

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